Early in 1867 they approached Bishop Edward Tufnell for permission to build a local church.

[1] The Nicholsons had approached the Queensland Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin to design a simple timber church to accommodate approximately 130 persons.

This design was approved at a meeting of interested Upper Kedron residents held in March 1866, but it was proposed also that local brickmakers (a number of whom had moved to the district in the mid-1860s) be approached to donate bricks for the construction.

[1] The foundation stone for St Matthew's Anglican Church was laid on 23 September 1867 by Governor George Bowen and the first service was held on 7 February 1869.

In 1885 John's brother, William Castlemaine Nicholson, converted ownership of the land and church buildings to trustees and they are still privately owned.

[3][4][5] The listing on the Queensland Heritage Register comprises all of the buildings, structures, sites, objects, planting and land with the exception of the rectory, which has been altered substantially.

[1] The church (built 1867–1869) is a simple Gothic-styled brick building located high on a hill.

Rendered walls of hand-made bricks are supported by buttresses and rest on stone foundations.

Additions include stained glass memorial windows, an altar and other ecclesiastical furniture, raised sanctuary and chancel steps, nave carpet, lighting and other modern facilities.

[1]The cemetery (used since 1869) holds the graves of many of the early settlers of the Grovely/Upper Kedron district including members of the Nicholson family.

[1] The hall (built 1917) is a simple timber and corrugated iron building with skillion roof.

[1] St Matthews Anglican Church was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

The 1917 hall is illustrative of the development of the area in the first two decades of the 20th century, culminating in St Matthew's becoming a parochial district in 1920.